Assembly and fastener therefor



w. lD. STOCKDALE ASSEMBLY AND FASTENER THEREFOR Nov, 11, 195s Filed Jan. 27, 1956l 2,859,469 ASSEMBLY .also rAsraNnR "rrmaEFoR William D. Stockdale, Arlington Heights, Ill., assigner to illinois Toni Works, fChicago, iii., a corporation of illinois Application January 27, 1956, Serial No. 561,794

Claims. (Cl. 16-42) The present invention relates to a structure including a tubular member, an end member and a device for securing said members together, and more particularly to a novel fastening device for such a structure. p

Articles of furniture have long been made with tubular metal legs having caps or feet secured to their lower ends or other tubular frame or arm members having their ends closed by caps. The caps or feet are formed from various materials including plastics, and various fastening devices have been suggested for securing such caps or feet to the tubular members. Heretofore proposed fastening devices for the purpose contemplated herein have not always been entirely satisfactory sincecertain of the devices are at least partially disposed so that they mar the appearance of the structure, and other fastening devices frequently enable the feet or cap members to become loose, particularly when these members are formed from a plasticmaterial which'is subject to cold flow after periods of use.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel structure of the above described type which includes a fastening device entirely concealed within the tubular member and cap or foot member and which is capable of securely and permanently retaining the members in assembled relationship.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel one-piece sheet material device of relatively simple and economical construction, which device is adapted to secure a cap or closure member to the end of a tubular member securely and with the device hidden from view.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel one-piece sheet material fastening device of the above described type which may be easily and securely applied to both the tubular member and the cap orrclosure member so as to facilitate assembly of these members.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a structure incorporating the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing a novel fastening device embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view showing the novel fastening device of this invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a structure 1li incorporating the features of the present invention is shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4. This structure includes a tubular member 12 which, in the embodiment shown, has a circular transverse cross section, but it will be understood that the tubular member may have any desired cross sectional arent l' 2,859,469 Patented Nov. 11, 1958 shape. It is contemplated that the tubular member 12 may be a'leg of an article vof furniture' or the like, 4and a -footrmember 14 is applied to the lower end of the tubular' member. However, itshould also be understood, that the tubular member 12 may-be utilizedto provide frame or armmembers for various articles'of furniture, handle members for appliances such'rasvacuum sweepers or for any other desired purpose, and in'such instances the member 14 provides a cap or closure-forfthe end of the tubular-member. The foot or` closure member-14 is securely and permanentlygfastened to the Atubular member by means ofv a one-piece fastener member 16 which is preferably formed from resilient-sheet metal. As shown in the drawings, thefastener member is formed and applied so that itis completely enclosed within the tubular and end or closure members so that it willnot detract from the externalappearance of ther-structure.

The foot-or cap member 14Vis. preferably formed from a plastic'material but also may'be formed from other suitable materials such as wood and metal. A'1" his membei` is provided with a tubular inner end portion 18 having the same -cross sectional shape as thetubular member'lZ and adapted to iit snugly within the end of the tubular member 12. A radially extendingannular shoulder 20 is provided on the member 14 for engaging the terminal end of the tubular member 12 and therebypositively limiting entry ofthe foot 0r-cap into the'tubular member. An outer end portion22 of the foot or cap member is preferably closed or substantially closed land may be provided with Ya substantially rsemispherical shape` as shown or any-otherv desired shape.

The fastening device 16v is;preferably formed from a strip of sheet *material of substantially uniform width throughout itslength yandA includes a central or body section 24 which may initially be substantially at and disposedY perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of'the device as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Leg portions 26 and 28 extend from opposite ends Yof the section 24, which legI portions respectively include Yrelatively short sections 30 and 32 diverging from integral junctions with the section 24, and converging sections 34 and 36. The` sections 30 and 32 are inclined laterally andY generally axially inwardly from the section 24 at relatively large angles such,for example, as about-565. Prongs' 38 and 40 are struck from the sections 30 and 32 respectively and are inclined laterally and axially inwardly from integral junctions with oppositeV ends of section 24 at relatively small angles,`suc'h, for example, as about-30; The'reversely extending or converging "leg `sections 34 and 36 are disposed atangles of about 40 with respectv to the plane of the section 24, and additional prongs 42 and 44 are struck from the sections 30 and 32 respectively and extend from integral junctions with the sections 34 and 36 at angles of about 20 with respect to the. plane of the section 24. It will be appreciated that the specific angles mentioned herein are given byvway of example only, and that the Vspecific illustrated configuration -of the legs'Zo and Zis subjectfto modification.

The fastening devicel is easily and securely applied to the foot or cap member 14 merely by-pressingthe end portion of the fastener including the sections 24, 30

and 32 and the prongs'SS and 40 into the tubular sectiony ber 14 so that in the event that this member is formed' from plastic and cold ilow occurs, the section 24u/ill It shouldvbe noted that thes'eetion still function to maintain the prongs in aggressive engagement with the member 14. Thus the foot or cap member 14 cannot become loose or accidentally disassmbled from the fastening device even after long periods o' use.

During assembly of the fastening device with the cap or foot member 14, the prongs 42 and 44 engage the inner terminal end of the portion 18 so as to limit movement of the fastening device into the foot member. Preferably the fastening device is pressed into the foot member until the prongs 42 and 44 are deflected slightly away from the section 24 as shown in Fig. 2. As a result the member 14 is resiliently clamped between prongs 38-42 and 40-44 so as further to insure aggressive engagement of the prongs 38 and 40 with the member 14.

The ends of the leg portions 26 and 28 of the fastening device disposed outwardly from the section 24 respectively merge with curved sections 46 and 48 which in turn respectively merge with reversely extending sections 50 and 52. Thus, the outer ends of the sections S and 52 are disposed in opposing relationship with respect to the prongs 38 and 40 for engaging the inner wall of the tubular member 12. The curved portions 46 and 48 are initially spaced apart as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and the outer ends of the sections 50 and 52 are initially spaced apart a distance greater than the internal transverse dimension or diameter of the tubular member 12. Thus the fastening device which is iirst applied to the foot or cap member may be easily and securely applied to the tubular member 12 merely by pressing the sections 50 and 52 into the tubular member so that the end edges or corners of the sections S0 and 52 bite into the tubular member as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4. The fastening device is constructed and proportioned with respect to the tubular member 12 so that when the device is inserted within the tubular member, the leg portions 26 and 28 are collapsed until the curved sections 46 and 48 abut each other and the sections 52 and 50 are flexed so as aggressively to engage the tubular member. The relatively broad sheet material curved sections 46 and 48 cannot slip past each other when` the fastening device is applied to the tubular member so that each leg portion and curved section serves to back-up the other leg portion and curved section whereby aggressive engagement of the sections 50 and 52 with the tubular member is insured. As shown in the drawings the terminal ends of the sections 50 and 52 may be notched as at 54 and 56 respectively so as to provide a plurality of relatively narrow prongs 58-60 and 62-64. These prongs provide improved engagement with a tubular member having flat interior surfaces, not shown, but for a circular tubular member these prongs may be omitted, if desired. Furthermore the end edges of the sections 50 and 52 could be shaped so as to conform with any flat or arcuate interior surface of the tubular member, and these edges, in certain instances, may be continuous and in other instances they may be interrupted so as to provide teeth or prongs.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A one-piece resilient sheet material fastening device for connecting first and second tubular members comprising a section disposed transversely to a longitudinal axis of said device, means projecting from an end of said section for engaging an interior surface of the first tubular member and restraining axial shifting of said device with respect to said rst tubular member toward the second tubular member, a pair of resilient leg means respectivelyextending from opposite ends of said section generally .axially of said device, elements respectively connected to 'and extending laterally of said leg means for engaging an interior surface of said second tubular member and restraining shifting of said device with respect to said second tubular member toward said first tubular member, and a pair of normally spaced apart means including portions of said leg means adjacent said elements extending toward each other over said section into adjacent relationship, said pair of means being shifted toward each other and into abutting relationship when said elements are engaged with the interior surface of said second tubular member for firmly supporting said elements in engagement with said second tubular member.

2. A resilient sheet material fastening device, as defined in claim l which includes means on said leg means for engaging said iirst tubular member for limiting axial movement of said device into said first tubular member and for urging said means extending from said section into engagement with said first tubular member.

3. A resilient sheet material fastening device comprising a one-piece strip including a central section of predetermined length disposed transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of said device, a pair of prong means extending generally oppositely with respect to each other from said section adjacent opposite ends of said section and inclined laterally from one side of said section facing axially in one direction and at an angle to said axis for engaging an interior surface of a first member, a pair of leg sections respectively extending generally axially from opposite ends of said section in said one direction for entry into a second member, and a pair of means respectively extending laterally from said leg sections and inclined with respect to said axis in a direction opposite to one said direction and extending generally oppositely with respect to each other for engaging an interior surface of said second member, said pair of means having terminal ends engageable with said last named surface spaced apart a distance substantially greater than said length of said transverse section, said leg sections including intermediate portions spaced apart a distance substantially less than said length of said transverse section, which portions abut each other to limit collapsing of the leg sections toward each other when said terminal ends are engaged with said interior surface of said second member.

4. A one-piece resilient sheet material fastening device comprising a first section at one end of the device traversing a longitudinal axis of the device, a pair of opposed leg portions extending from said rst section generally toward an end of the device opposite from said one end, generally oppositely projecting elements extending from said iirst section adjacent opposite ends of said iirst section for engaging an interior surface of a rst member, generally oppositely and laterally projecting elements extending from said leg sections adjacent said opposite end of the device for engaging an interior surface of a second member, and means struck from intermediate portions of said leg sections and projecting laterally outwardly at a location between said first and second mentioned elements for engaging said iirst member for limiting entry of said first section into said first member.

5. A structure of the type described comprising a tubular member, an end member including an outer terminal end portion disposed outwardly of one end of said tubular member, said end member including a tubular portion extending inwardly into said tubular member from said one end of the tubular member, said end member including annular radially outwardly projecting shoulder means engaging said one end of a tubular member and limiting movement of said tubular portion to said tubular member, an inner end of said tubular portion providing an annular abutment within said tubular member, and a one-piece resilient sheet material'fastening device disposed within and securely retaining said members in assembled relationship, said fastening device including a resilient exed section disposed within said tubular portion outwardly of said inner end of the tubular portion in a direction toward said outer terminal end of said end member, said exed section traversing said tubular portion and having prong portions extending oppositely with respect to each other aggressively engaging opposite interior surface portions of said tubular portion and inclined at an acute angle With respect to a longitudinal axis of said members toward said inner end of the tubular portion, a pair of resiliently exed elements respectively extending from opposite ends of said section, said elements being oppositely disposed with respect to each other and abutting each other centrally of said tubular member and respectively including end portions located within said tubular member axially inwardly of said tubular portion and engaging opposite interior surface portions of said tubular member and inclined at an acute 15 2,744,708

angle with respect to said axis toward said inner end of said tubular portion, and a pair of resilient flexed prongs respectively struck from intermediate portions of said elements and extending oppositely from each other and engaging said annular abutment for limiting entry of said section into said tubular portion and for urging said prong portions into agressive engagement with said tubular portion.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Becker Feb. 23, 1954 Matter Aug. 31, 1954 Bedford May 8, 1956 

